Health And Safety Training In Ontario is Mandatory – Effective July 1, 2014. Is Your Organization Ready?
A fatal scaffolding accident on Dec. 24, 2009, highlighted a need to improve workplace health and safety in Ontario. An expert advisory panel consisting of health and safety specialists from labour groups, employer groups and academic groups was assembled to conduct an evaluation.
The panel issued fourteen recommendations to improve workplace health and safety. Ontario committed to implement the panel’s recommendations and incorporated them into Bill 160 the Occupational Health & Safety Statue Law Amendment Act, which was passed in the spring of 2011.
One of the panel’s discoveries was that workers were generally unaware of important parts of the Occupational Health & Safety Act (OHSA), and were taking unnecessary health and safety risks in the workplace. To address this issue, the Occupational Health & Safety Awareness and Training Regulations require mandatory occupational health and safety training for all employees and supervisors. This mandatory training expands on previously required OHSA training, with the purpose of ensuring that workers are aware of their involvement, rights and duties while on the job. On July 1, 2014, the training will become mandatory for all workplaces, regardless of size or sector.
Health and Safety Training for Workers
Employees must undergo employer-led training on occupational health & safety awareness as soon as practicable. The training program for employees must include:
- WHMIS legislation
- Occupational Health and Safety Act
- Worker duties and rights under the Act
- Employer and supervisor duties and rights under the Act
- Common hazards and illnesses that arise in the workplace
- The duties of joint health and safety committees, health and safety representatives, the ministry, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board and the Health and Safety Associations, under the Act
Employers must keep records of employee health & safety training.
A free training program is available on the Ministry of Labour (MOL) website. Employees have two options for training: an eLearning module or a printable workbook.
Health and Safety Training for Supervisors
All current supervisors must undergo training within one week of assuming supervisor duties. The training program for supervisors must include:
- Occupational Health and Safety Act
- Worker duties and rights under the Act
- Employer and supervisor duties and rights under the Act
- How to recognize, evaluate and handle common hazards and illnesses that arise in the workplace
- The duties of joint health and safety committees, health and safety representatives, the ministry, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board and the Health and Safety Associations, under the Act
- Sources of occupational health and safety information
To learn more about health and safety training and other ways to minimize risk in your business speak to an ALIGNED Insurance Advocate or connect with us at www.alignedinsuranceinc.com
